FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Game Announcer Regional and Championship

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Summary Responsibilities and Expectations Schedule At The Event –Part I – Preparation –Part II – Let the Games Begin –Part III – Performance Tips –Part IV – Making the Event Professional Critical Review Conclusion Contact Info What’s Next?

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Responsibilities & Expectations The Game Announcer role is vital to a successful event; the better informed, knowledgeable, and comfortable you are in your role will directly translate to the success of an event and the enjoyment of the teams and spectators. The Emcee and Game Announcer work as a team to entertain and inform the audience in an engaging fashion. The Game Announcer role is the audible FIRST presence.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Responsibilities & Expectations The Game Announcer is a performance role, working with the Emcee to: introduce teams provide play-by-play commentary report the scores This position requires: a lively, animated vocal personality good public speaking skills a pleasant sounding voice the ability to handle unanticipated situations a lot of energy The Game Announcer must: embody the spirit and professionalism of FIRST be fun, energetic, creative and organized

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers FRC Competition Schedule Wednesday: load-in day, field set-up Thursday: Inspection and Practice day (8am-8pm) - Game Announcer should review teams, robots, and get acquainted with the game. Friday: 9 amOpening Ceremonies 9:20- 4:00Qualification Matches 4:15 Awards Ceremony –Arrive early to meet with: the Event Manager to discuss the day’s agenda, opening and closing ceremony protocol, list of speakers, and final event details. The Emcee to discuss Team introduction protocol. (ideally this should be completed on Thursday) * Note: schedule for FTC and FLL Events vary – See Event Coordinator for specifics

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers FRC Competition Schedule Saturday 9 amOpening Ceremonies 9:20- 12:00Qualification Matches 12:00Alliance Selection 1:00Elimination Tournament 3:00 Awards Ceremony * Note: schedule for FTC and FLL Events vary – See Event Coordinator for specifics

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At the Event Part 1 - Preparation Review correct name, title and pronunciation of Emcee’s name Review Team info and fill-in any missing Team nicknames, robot names, sponsors Review Team Name pronunciations Introduce yourself and determine scoring display & announcement protocol with Scorer, Technical Director and A/V crew Establish Team introduction protocol with Emcee Establish Alliance selection protocol with Emcee Thursday and/or Friday early AM

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At the Event Part II - Let The Games Begin! On Friday and Saturday, after the Event Manager has confirmed that all Guest Speakers and Judges are present, the show begins. The Opening Ceremonies script that has been prepared by the Event Manager is used by the MC, A/V Crew, and Event Manager to ensure synchronization. Begin Match play –The Emcee introduces each team by number, then the Game Announcer completes the intro (full name on first intro only, short name thereafter). –Then the Emcee counts down “3,2,1, Go” to start the match. The Emcee MUST be consistent with this countdown for each and every match. –The Game Announcer provides play-by-play commentary and time remaining announcements. –The Referees score the match and the Game Announcer announces the score as it is displayed by A/V crew. Repeat!!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part III - Performance Tips Speak slowly and clearly. Diction is incredibly important! If everything sounds the same to the audience they will eventually tune out, so use vocal variety: –Vary your speaking style and volume throughout the event. –If your delivery is consistently too “high-energy”, the audience gets anxious and will also lose interest. –An energetic, varied delivery is interesting and inviting to an audience. Routinely check to make sure your headset is in the best position to pick up your voice and not riding too high or too low on your head. If using a hand-held microphone, hold it close to your mouth and speak into it, not over it.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part III - Performance Tips Do your homework and double check that Team names, Team nicknames, Robot names, Sponsors, etc. are all correct. During the Team introductions fill in performance statistics, if possible, e.g. “Currently in first place, Team 88…”, or “Last year’s Southwest Regional Winner…” Team intros are very fast-paced in order to keep the competition on schedule. Do not make editorial/coaching comments, e.g. “Team 77 should just pin Team 78 against the rail until time runs out.” Confirm that your microphone is off before speaking off-line.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part III - Performance Tips Work on getting into a rhythm with the Emcee, making eye contact and connecting with him/her. Often, the crowd noise is so loud that you cannot hear one another. Establishing a rhythm helps so that you don’t step on each other’s words (talk at the same time). Stay hydrated. And time your restroom breaks wisely! Your job is to comment on the play, NOT direct it. Work together with the Event Manager and Technical Director – they are the “Directors” of the show. Develop your own style – don’t try to be somebody you’re not!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part III - Performance Tips Make time announcements at 1:00 minute played, 30 seconds remaining, 10 seconds remaining, and countdown the last 5 seconds. Make the descriptions as lively and interesting as possible without making it sound like a “Death Match”. Use optimistic phrases to encourage poorly performing teams, e.g. “Team 103 is trying to get something going”, “It looks like Team 132 is having trouble getting their robot in gear, hopefully they can figure something out, there’s still 1:30 remaining in the match.” Silence is okay. Let the action speak for itself sometimes. Constant announcing will cause the audience to tune you out.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional The Emcee’s job is to be a visual presence, informing the audience, and keeping the event lively and moving forward. The Game Announcer should primarily speak only during Team intros, play-by-play commentary, and score announcement. The differentiation between these roles is critical to: aid the audience on where to focus their attention create a structure where the Game Announcer supports the Emcee create two specific roles without competitive/overlapping focus and speaking (Consider the structure and success of both Pro sports and talk-show formats.)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional The FIRST Robotics Competition is intended to be inspiring, exciting, entertaining, and most of all, as professional and seamless as you can make it. Fun and professional are not mutually exclusive. But it does take work! Get beyond yourself and consider the event. Remember that the Teams and audience want to be entertained by both the event and match play. Do not play favorites or endlessly praise veteran teams over rookies (or other veterans for that matter.)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Don’t scream or talk so fast that you cannot be understood. You have 6+ hours per day to maintain audience attention. Screaming unintelligibly is grating. Do not do “shout-outs”, “happy birthday” wishes etc. to the audience. This is both unprofessional and opens the floodgates for endless birthday announcements. Direct requests to the MC. Behave professionally. (for example, do not stand on your chair to gain a better sightline!) Allow some silence - this is not a horserace. You have to make all 100+ matches interesting.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Remember, the students and Teams are intended to be center stage, not you! Be ready to begin each match as soon as the field is reset, and do not get distracted by personal business (phone calls, chatting, etc.). Do not interfere or attempt to influence Referee rulings. Do not emphasize winning above all else. Colorful speech and a clipped delivery work well. Never direct strategy to teams.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Sample FIRST Announcer Terminology Blocks the goal Hauls, drags, draws, lugs, tows, tugs their opponent across mid- field Slides, Slips, Creeps onto the ramp Racing the clock Sprints, Sails, Dashes, Heads, Rushes, Runs for the platform Protecting their Alliance Partner Playing Defense, Boxing out the “RoboWizards” Outmaneuvers Team 00 Denies the shot by the red alliance robot A Hail Mary attempt at the buzzer Shoots from mid-field Flies out of the starting zone

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Sample FIRST Announcer Terminology Robot from Team 00 being fed balls/tubes by the human player In control of the goals Rescues their partner Shuts down the offense of the red alliance Corners Team 55 Grapples with Team 66 at center field Pops another shot into the goal Slam dunks another shot for the blue alliance Limping to the buzzer Shuts down the corner goal Spinning their wheels Smokes the motors Owns the goals Drops the ball

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Sample FIRST Announcer Terminology Unleashes a charge Pops it high Controlling the goals Releases the ball Flips, Tips over Drives it home Pops into reverse Backs away from trouble Slams, Pounds, Batters the “RoboWizards” against the rail Gets tangled up with Team 543 Extends the shooter Pins Team 67 against the rail Skidding across the field Sweeps the field

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers At The Event Part IV - Making the Event Professional Sample FIRST Announcer Terminology Note: these sample phrases give you an example of appropriate terminology that is colorful and descriptive without being vicious! For further demos, contact Blair Hundertmark at FIRST for a demo-tape from previous competitions.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Gracious Professionalism is Key At FIRST, Gracious Professionalism has become an expectation. We expect it from our students, from the Mentors and Coaches, from all FIRST Volunteers and from FIRST Staff. It is part of the ethos of FIRST. “In the long run, gracious professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. If one becomes a professional, and uses knowledge in a gracious manner, everyone wins. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have acted with integrity and sensitivity. That’s good stuff!” – Dr.Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Gracious Professionalism is Key Encouraging high-quality work + Emphasizing the value of others + Respecting individuals and the community EVERYONE WINS!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Lead Volunteer Communication With your team of volunteers: –As a Lead Volunteer you are a LEADER. –Lead Volunteers must communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator(s) to get names and begin communicating with their team as soon as possible via e mail etc. –As a team leader, you must communicate with your volunteers to create a sense of a team and teamwork. –By doing so, questions can be answered in advance, comfort levels increased, and miscellaneous information gotten out of the way. –There should be no surprises when you get together with your volunteer team at the event.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Lead Volunteer Communication With the other lead volunteers at your event: –Take the opportunity to meet with other lead volunteers and discuss your expectations. –Discuss overlapping areas of responsibility and decide on how issues in these areas should be handled. –Clarify each others roles BEFORE a problem arises. –Make sure everyone understands the non-medical incident report (new in 2008).

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Critical Review Be prepared Remember to keep the focus on the Teams and students Use your personality to help make the Teams and event shine! Stay on schedule Make the event as polished and professional as you can Remember that the playing field is only one piece of the event. Decisions made there effect all other areas. Utilize the experience of the Event Manager and Technical Director You represent FIRST!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Conclusion Every FIRST event is a place for celebration; a gathering of smart and dedicated students, educators, professionals, parents, and mentors. It is the primary role of the Game Announcer to describe the action on the competition field in a positive manner clearly, concisely, with energy and enthusiasm. Your role is to be a “voice”, not a “face”.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Contact Info With any questions or concerns, please contact: Blair Hundertmark FIRST Production Developer ext. #441

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers What’s Next? Now that you have reviewed the key materials to succeed in your position be sure to: –Test your knowledge with our online quiz. –Review any other materials provided. –Understand the post-event survey. –Plan to participate in your pre- and post-event training calls. These calls help volunteers at all regional events be successful!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers FIRST would like to thank the Association for Laboratory Automation for their gracious support.